Success Stories

The story of Mount Rogers Community Services (MRCS) extends far beyond a single person or family. The ever-expanding narrative is more like a patchwork quilt of caring that covers six jurisdictions in Southwest Virginia. Each story is personal because Chief Executive Officer… [Read More]

Mary Ann Forrester is living proof that “life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.” The familiar lyric from John Lennon’s “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)” offers a perfect picture of her path to home ownership and fierce commitment to her son’s health and… [Read More]

How did a globe-trotting former diplomat and one of Washington’s top international lawyers end up running an award-winning winery along the North Fork of the Shenandoah River? The answer is pretty simple really. It was a place to put down roots. The historic Woodstock, Va.,… [Read More]

Hundreds of local residents and visitors gather at Waynesboro’s Zeus Digital Theater each week to view the latest theatrical releases on eight big screens, never realizing that they are being transported to other worlds via the power of the sun. A 241kw system perched high atop… [Read More]

While many factors go into selecting the best site for a new business, the view was at the top of the list for Nathan and Irma Bailey. The couple was leaving corporate jobs to start a vineyard and brewery, so scenic vistas were important. “We were looking for some place in the… [Read More]

Hand-me-downs are a right of passage in many large families but aren’t a great approach to public safety in rural communities. The Alberta Volunteer Fire Department was making do with engines procured from nearby communities when the nonprofit decided to pump the brakes on… [Read More]

Balance is key to maintaining the health of humans and ecosystems but is an often-overlooked aspect of wastewater treatment. When the Mount Jackson, Va., plant went online in 2010, operators soon discovered that they had to make constant adjustments to maintain equilibrium. The… [Read More]

While chicken coops are pretty common in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, it IS unusual to find one being used as an airport terminal. The original function may not be readily apparent to first-time visitors, but it’s easy to see that the converted poultry house has seen better… [Read More]

Volunteer fire departments are an integral part of the communities they serve, carrying on a proud tradition of neighbor helping neighbor in times of trouble. Each member is committed to maintaining readiness to respond to every call, but those working in rural communities like… [Read More]

Hardware Hills Vineyard is located about five miles from downtown Scottsville but might well be in the middle of its namesake river when it comes to network connectivity. Owners Andrea and Rob Nickels spent their first 10 days on the property without internet and had to schedule… [Read More]